Published - | Updated - February 23, 2023 04:13 am
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In line with expectations, India has advanced to the semifinals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2023. Nevertheless, they must defeat powerhouse Australia in the first semi-final of the competition on Thursday in order to advance to the final, which is slated for February 26. (February 23). Australia, who are also the incumbent champions, are heavy favourites going into the semifinals, especially after defeating India 3-2 in Women’s T20 World Cup matches. Moreover, Australia defeated India in both the Commonwealth Games gold medal game and the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup.
Aside from a victory in a warm-up match earlier in the month, Australia had also triumphed 4-1 in a five-game T20I series against India. Yet theywould be cautious of India’s giant-killing instinct, which was evident when they won the second game of the series in a thrilling super-over triumph in front of 47,000 spectators at the DY Patil Stadium last year. India is the only team that Australia has dropped two games to since 2021.
Returning to the competition, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led team finished second in Group 2 despite losing to England by 11 runs and winning three of their four games. This was due to their inability to gel as a team due to inconsistent batting in the top order and playing too many dot balls. Richa Ghosh, a wicketkeeper-batswoman for India who was removed once in the previous innings, has stepped up to lead the effort as a finisher.She was a part of the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup winning team, making 122 runs at a strike rate of 140 and thrived in South African conditions over the course of four games.
Smriti Mandhana, the vice captain and left-handed opener, has been in excellent form after missing the first game against Pakistan owing to a finger injury. Jemimah Rodrigues has also been outstanding. But, India will be looking for Shafali Verma and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur to contribute more offensively in the semifinal.
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